The Wind Energy Resource Zone Board released an analysis of the state's wind energy potential yesterday, naming areas of Benzie, Leelanau, Antrim and Charlevoix as some of the top gust-producing areas in the state. Other areas named included the tip of the thumb and the shoreline of Allegan County. An excerpt of the report's Exhibit 2 Map shows the identified areas.
The board was established in December 2008 pursuant to Public Act 295 of 2008 (PA 295), also known as the "Clean, Renewable and Efficient Energy Act." The 11-member board includes representatives from cities and villages, townships, the state attorney general's office, the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC), the renewable energy industry, the electric utility industry, independent transmission companies, environmental organizations, alternative energy suppliers, and the public at large. The board is required to issue a report that, among other things, includes a list of regions in the state with the "highest level of wind energy harvest potential."
The board issued its proposed report detailing its findings on June 2, 2009. The proposed report is being provided to the legislative bodes of all the local units of government - cities, villages, townships, and counties - within the regions identified by the board as having the highest wind potential. This comment period will conclude at 3 p.m. on August 4, 2009. At the conclusion of the local government comment period, the Board will continue to accept comments as part of the public hearing process on the proposed report.
See https://janus.pscinc.com/WindEnergyResourceZone/ to provide comments on the board's proposed report.
The board has scheduled two public hearings:
Public Hearing 1 - Thumb Area
11a.m. on Monday, August 24, 2009
Huron County Expo Center
Public Hearing 1 - Thumb Area
11a.m. on Monday, August 24, 2009
Huron County Expo Center
170 West Soper RoadBad Axe, MI 48413
See map or contact the Expo Center at (989) 269-2720.
Public Hearing 2 - West Michigan
11a.m. on Monday, August 31, 2009
West Shore Community College Auditorium in the Administrative and Conference Building
11a.m. on Monday, August 31, 2009
West Shore Community College Auditorium in the Administrative and Conference Building
300 North Stiles RoadScottville, MI 49454 https://www.westshore.edu/media/maps/campusmap.pdf
Information credit: Michigan Public Service Commission
